BAe cuts 260 jobs at Filton

An estimate 6,000 aviation jobs have gone in the region

Two hundred and sixty jobs are to go at BAe Aviation Services at the Filton airfield in Bristol.

The announcement of the job losses comes just four months after workers accepted a no overtime agreement aimed at saving jobs.

The company, which converts old Airbus passenger jets for use as freight carriers, has been hit by the aftermath of the 11 September attacks on the United States.

But the job losses come just as the government is due to announce an initiative which will see an estimated £1m grant given to help the aerospace sector in the South West.

Huge success

Unions say that about 6,000 aviation jobs have been lost in the south-west because of 11 September and the global economic downturn.

The cuts at Filton - which were announced at the weekend - have shocked workers who thought earlier agreements over pay and overtime would be enough to secure their futures.

The company has suffered from a surplus of aircraft

Representatives of the workforce are now assessing the situation and they will be hoping the government grant, which is due to be confirmed on Monday, can be used to help retrain the redundant BAe workers.

The Filton operation began 10 years ago and was the first of its kind in the world.

It enjoyed huge success by cashing in on the rise in air freight transport.

However, a surplus of aircraft and the huge downturn in the sector has seen the south-west - which also houses such companies as Westland and Rolls Royce - badly hit in terms of job losses.